India says Myanmar has no nukes

NEW DELHI - India believes that neighbouring Myanmar has no nuclear programme but is monitoring developments closely as nuclear weapons in the neighbourhood were a matter of concern, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna said Thursday.

“Myanamar asserts that it has no nuclear programme on its anvil. The government of India will have to believe,” Krishna said while replying to a supplementary in the Rajya Sabha, parliament’s upper house.

The minister, however, added that information was being gathered through intelligence networks as well.

“We will also gather through our own intelligence what is happening. The government always monitors development closely because it concerns our security,” Krishna said.

He stated that nuclear weapons in neighbouring countries were a matter of concern and that the Indian intelligence was keeping tight watch on the situation.

“We know Pakistan has nuclear weapons, China also has. We also know there has been a clandestine proliferation effort that Libya and other similar countries are making. We know A.Q. Khan network is very active. (The) government is monitoring the situation and will take steps to see India’s security is not jeopardised,” he said.

Myanmar has been under military rule since 1962. Its leader, Senior General Than Shwe, visited India in July to discuss energy and cross-border security issues.